6 rings: Exploring potential franchise tag & draft options for the Patriots
Change often begets more change, and such is the case in the modern day of the NFL. With a new era of New England Patriots football underway in Foxboro, a new head coach and front office making moves, you’d have to expect significant personnel moves on the field as well. And on the day that featured the announcement of a new coaching staff, the team announced they would be parting ways with a pair of highly regarded veteran defenders, including one of the last holdovers of the championship days gone by.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Patriots are releasing defensive lineman Lawrence Guy as well as safety Adrian Phillips. Both have been starters and integral parts of the team’s well-regarded defense for the past several seasons, but saw their snap count limited in 2023, perhaps a herald that a change of venue could be coming in the days post-Belichick for both veterans.
Guy signed with the Pats in 2017, following stints in Indianapolis, San Diego and most notably Baltimore. A team leader and captain, Guy was as much a force in the community with his charitable efforts through The Lawrence Guy Family Foundation as he was on the field. Guy was also the team’s 2022 Walter Peyton Man of the Year nominee. A steady presence along New England's stout defensive line, Guy played in 110 games for the Patriots and started over 100, playing in two Super Bowls (52, 53), and taking home one ring as a member of the Patriots team that defeated the LA Rams in Super Bowl 53, 13-3. Guy, a Las Vegas native who played his college ball at Arizona State, is set to turn 34 this spring.
Phillips came to the Patriots following the departure of Tom Brady and the championship years in what would be known as the NFL’s COVID year, 2020. Like another well regarded safety for New England, Rodney Harrison, Phillips came from the Chargers organization where he was a Pro Bowler in 2018, immediately finding a new home and second wind with the Pats. He appeared in all 67 regular season games over his four seasons in New England with 38 total starts, though he started just one game in 2023. Phillips, a native of Garland, Texas, was regarded as one of the top 15 all-around athletes in the country by ESPN in his high school career. He had a successful collegiate run with his home state Texas Longhorns before turning pro in 2014.
The moves will save the Patriots approximately $6 million in cap space. Both players become free agents immediately and can pursue options with other teams.
Related
